Budget Battle In Washington Could Cost Texas $334 Million

AUSTIN (February 25, 2013)--The Texas state budget will lose $334 million because of the budget standoff in Washington, mostly in cuts to public education programs, budget experts told Texas lawmakers Monday.

The Texas Education Agency alone would lose $167.7 million in grants, the experts said.

More than 285 schools will lose federal funding on July 1.

Schools will also lose funding for special education and classes to teach English as a second language.

Major reductions will also occur in funding for nutrition programs, early child intervention and family protective services.

The Texas budget receives $34 billion from Washington every year and the law instituting automatic budget cuts is expected to take effect on Friday.

Lawmakers complained that while the state will lose federal money, the federal regulations to receive that funding will remain in place.

The White House has released a state-by-state look at the impact of the automatic cuts, basing the numbers only on the $85 billion in cuts for this fiscal year, from March-September, that are set to take effect Friday without a budget deal.

Texas Impact By The Numbers(Source: White House)

Teachers and Schools:Texas will lose approximately $67.8 million in funding for primary and secondary education, putting around 930 teacher and aide jobs at risk. In addition about 172,000 fewer students would be served and approximately 280 fewer schools would receive funding.

Education for Children with Disabilities:In addition, Texas will lose approximately $51 million in funds for about 620 teachers, aides, and staff who help children with disabilities.

Work-Study Jobs:Around 4,720 fewer low income students in Texas would receive aid to help them finance the costs of college and around 1,450 fewer students will get work-study jobs that help them pay for college.

Head Start:Head Start and Early Head Start services would be eliminated for approximately 4,800 children in Texas, reducing access to critical early education.

Protections for Clean Air and Clean Water:Texas would lose about $8,467,000 in environmental funding to ensure clean water and air quality, as well as prevent pollution from pesticides and hazardous waste. In addition, Texas could lose another $2,235,000 in grants for fish and wildlife protection.

Military Readiness:In Texas, approximately 52,000 civilian Department of Defense employees would be furloughed, reducing gross pay by around $274.8 million in total.

Army: Base operation funding would be cut by about $233 million in Texas.

Air Force:Funding for Air Force operations in Texas would be cut by about $27 million.

Navy:Reduce procurement of the Joint Strike Fighter from Texas, and cancel scheduled BlueAngels shows in Corpus Christi and Fort Worth.

Law Enforcement and Public Safety Funds for Crime Prevention and Prosecution:Texas will lose about $1,103,000 in Justice Assistance Grants that support law enforcement, prosecution and courts, crime prevention and education, corrections and community corrections, drug treatment and enforcement, and crime victim and witness initiatives.

Job Search Assistance to Help those in Texas find Employment and Training:Texas will lose about $2,263,000 in funding for job search assistance, referral, and placement, meaning around 83,750 fewer people will get the help and skills they need to find employment.

Child Care:Up to 2,300 disadvantaged and vulnerable children could lose access to child care, which is also essential for working parents to hold down a job.

Vaccines for Children:In Texas around 9,730 fewer children will receive vaccines for diseases such as measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus, whooping cough, influenza, and Hepatitis B due to reduced funding for vaccinations of about $665,000.

Public Health:Texas will lose approximately $2,402,000 in funds to help upgrade its ability to respond to public health threats including infectious diseases, natural disasters, and biological, chemical, nuclear, and radiological events. In addition, Texas will lose about $6,750,000 in grants to help prevent and treat substance abuse, resulting in around 2,800 fewer admissions to substance abuse programs. And Texas' health departments will lose about $1,146,000 resulting in around 28,600 fewer HIV tests.

STOP Violence Against Women Program:Texas could lose up to $543,000 in funds that provide services to victims of domestic violence, resulting in up to 2,100 fewer victims being served.

Nutrition Assistance for Seniors:Texas would lose approximately $3,557,000 in funds that provide meals for seniors.

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